Electrical connector.



W. H- ADAMS.

' ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. AFLLICATION FILED MAYI, 19:5.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

I n ve'nror. WiHiam H. Adams byew aw A f/M s UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

WILLIAM H, nnAMsor Kenyon, nnonn ISLAND.

ELECTRICAL ()QNNECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

Application filed May 1, 1915. Serial No. 25,301.

all whom it may concern:

'Be it known thatl, WILLIAM H. ADAMS, a citizen ofthe United States,residing at Kenyon, county of Washington, State .of Rho-delsland, haveinvented an Improvement in Electrical Connectors, of which the followingdescription, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is aspecification, like characters on the drawing fpresenting likeparts, vThis invention relates to improvements in electrical connectors and hasparticular reference to removing the strains of vibratory, or

other tensioned stresses from the individual,

current-carrying media. Such strain results in parted condiictors or inloosened imperfect contacts eachv entailing circuit interruption. It iscommonto convey one or more electri cal conductors within an armored orotherwise protected sheath, conduit or cable. In such forms thecontained wires or other conductors emerge from the cable at each endand are thereafter carried to the desired points, to a source ofelectrical energy and to a current utilization point. Resulting fromsuch constructions, practice has demon strated thatthe terminals of theindividual,

strands or wires, thus isolated and frequently singly bearing the stressof the cable weight or oi any force or motion imparted thereto, arebroken under repeated bendings.

Where the usual conducting wires terminate, in metallic pins or tips theordinary jars tend to pull and twist them out ofcontact. And, whilethenovel electrical connectors disclosed herein are adapted especially foruse with the ignition systems of inter-- nal combustion engines, theirmultifarious adaptations to electrical circuits where flexibility andcertain continuity of current conduction is desired, are obvious.

lhe selected embodiment of this invention, herein described andillustrated, is that of such an electrical connector as isdesigne'd toconvey electrical,energy from the usual spark coil to the commutator ortimer of an internal combustion engine. Especlally in motor vehicleservice, with the constant swaying and jarring shocks and the frequentmovement of the commutator to change its angular position consequentupon the advance or the retardation of the spark lever to meet thedemands of varying loads, is such bending and torsional strain present.Furthermore, in such service these individual'wires though properlyinsulated are directly and singly exposed constantly to hightemperatures, to oil and to dirt by which means their insulation rapidlydeteriorates and breaks occur which are diiiicult both of detection andof repair due to their restricted and ofttimes inaccessible locations.

The object of this invention is to provide a flexible electricalconnector to which the terminals of the current-carrying means arerigidly secured.

Another object is to provide an electrical connection for the spark coiland timer parts of an internal combustion engine, the our-- rentcarrying media being incased in an insulated conduitthe timer and coiltermi nals of the respective media being rigidly attached to the cable.

Other objects of the invention will more fully appear from the followingdescription and from the accompanying drawings and will be pointed outin the annexed claims.

An embodiment of this invention as adapted to the engine ignition partsof the well-known Ford automobiles has been illustrated. Howeveryit isobvious that this device maybe employed with an internal com- 'tion of amodified connection at spark coil and timer terminals; Fig. 6 is a Viewof another modified timer connection; Fig. 7 is a plan of the timerterminal shown in Fig. 6.

In the drawings, the connections shown are for tour current-carryingelements as employed, for example, to convey electrical impulses betweenthe spark coil and the commutator or timer. The wires 1, four in numberas shown, are carried within a cable or conduit 2. This conduitcomprises the usually spirally taped, knitted or woven coveringinclosing a flexible insulating medium 2) in which are embedded thewires 1, thus respectively insulated from each other. This conduit isrigidly secured at each end to the respective terminals shown. At oneend is shown the spark coil connection. This consists, in the form shownin Fig. l. of a tubular portion 1 of a material having insulatingproperties preferably of wood or fiber. .& sleeve 5 which surrounds andretains therein the tubular portion has a cylindrical coupling (3 withinwhich is received the conduit. The wires 1 are led to their respectiveterminals '7 which are insulated from each other' These terminals areformed of a condimting material and have apertures 8 to receive theusual binding posts of a spark coil. This tubular portion receives. whenthe wires are electrically attached to their respective terminals. aninsulating substance 3 which enters therein in a. viscous state andsubsequently hardens.

In Fig. 53 is shown another form of spark coil connection. The wooden orfibrous portion 9 receives on 'its surface the wires 1 which are securedthereto and are thus led to their respective terminals 7 secured to thewood or fiber, preferably countersunk. and having apertures S toreceive. in electrical contact the spark coil binding posts. in thisform the portion 9 has an. integral projection 10 to which the conduit 2is secured by the plate 11. screwed to the projection.

As at the spark coil end of the connector. so at the comn'mtator ortimer end. all stresses-longitudinal or transverse are borne by theconduit and not, as at present, by the individual conductors.

Referring again to Fig. l, the connection to the usual timer mechanismis shown. The timer casing 12 contains the usual fiber ring 13 havingequidistantly embedded therein the four contact segments 14 each havingits binding post 15. The usual roller contact, carried by the roller armmounted upon the timer shaft and revoluble therewith, is shown. Eachbindin g post 15 passes through the fiber ring and through the timercasing. The casing, opposite each binding post, has an opening in whichis inserted, and suitably retained, the insulating collar 16. The

' Washer 17 of non-conducting material is sccured t0 the collar. Thebinding post eX- tends through the collar and washer and has secured inadjustable threaded engagement thereon the usual thumb nut.

The cable or conduit 2 at this timer end is rigidly aiiixed to asubstantially annular head 18 which is composed of inflexible orhardened insulating material 19 surrounded by the usual protective tapedor Woven co v-- 'eri'ng. The -Wire's 1 pass from. the conduit to'thistimer headand are carried embedded in the material, being therebyrespectively in sulated. Each wire has secured thereto a metalconducting terminal .20 which projects from the under side of the head.The wires 1 in the head are of progressively increasing; lengths so thateach terminal may be positioncd adjacent and may be detachably cured. toone binding post. The terminals 20, aperturml to receive the bindingposts, are thus rctentively held between the insulating washer 17 andthe thumb nut. In dotted lines in Fig. l. is shown a transverse brace 21joining the two ends of the head insuring greater rigidity should. it bedeemed necessary.

Another form of rigid timer connection is shown in Figs. 3 and 4; inwhich the head is composed of a channel iron or U-shapcd member having acoupling ailixcd thereto in which the conduit 2 is received and rigidlyretained. This member which is preferably metallic is filled with a hilldened insulation in which the wires 1 are en'ibedded. The inner face 2%is positioned next to the timer casing 12. A plurality of bindingpostslots are a tlorded by cutting awav the lower flange and the innerface. of this member. The wires are led through the head in parallelpairs from the coluluit 2. The end oi each wire is electrically con"nccted to a conducting metal sleeve 26 which has a bottom longitudinalslot. This head is, tl'ieret'ore. ada 'acd to be POSltlOl'lfitl aboutthe timer casing from which the binding posts project by removing thethumb note from each and sliding the head there" The binding posts 15are received ear-h wi... in a slot 2! and make electrical comic with theslotted metal sleeve 2h. The i. ramh screws are then adjustalily tight1d ug ion the binding post and sleeve and the llfll i fixedly retained.

Fig. 5 shows another modification of a timer connection. In. thisstructure the lleai' ble conduit 2 is fixedly secured to and "re--ceived within a wooden or fibrous block 32?. Secured to this block arein this ern icdimeat T0111 rigid metallic conducting bars .55 ear ofwhich is screwed to the, block at one end The other ends at thoseconducto a each attached to a bindingpost. bars and posts being switablyinsulated from the timer casing. Each of the wires from the sparh coilis electrically attached to a bar.

In Figs. 6 and 7 is shown another form oi rigid timer connection. Inthis structure. the timer casing is preferably of a pressed or moldedelectrically insulating material, the conductors being embedded andrelatively insulated in the annular enlarged pan tion shown in sectionin Fig. 6 when: the integral casing is shown partially li ol' away Thiseasing has an offset pi i into whichv the. 1nulti-strand condreci'vedand fixedly retained. lilach Sit or wire 1 is led through theinsulation to a collar -30 carried by and making electrical connectionwith one of the binding posts 15. There is thus produced an improvedelectrical connection having a main flexible wire carrying conduitwhereby all strain is remo ed from the individual Wires. It iseliicient, simple and easy of attachment and liability of cirduitinterruption is reduced to a minimum.

It is understood that the embodiments of the invention as disclosedherein are illustrative and not restrictive and that the invention maybe incorporated in other apparatus, and that it may be used for otherpur poses than in connection with timing mecha nisms.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Pat ent is: v

1. An electrlcal connector comprising a flexible cable, members rigidlyaffixed to 0p posite ends of said cable and each having a'plurality ofrelatively insulated terminals, a plurality of relatively insulatedconductors carried by said. cable, each oppositely disposed pair; ofsaid relatively insulated terminals being cennected by one of saidconductors, whereby relative movement of saidmembers is compensated forby said cable and said members and strains upon said terminals andconductors are avoided. 2. An electrical connector comprising a flexiblecable, inflexible members rigidly affixed to opposite ends of saidcable, and forming therewith a substantially integral continuousstructure, each of, said inflexible members having a plurality,- ofrelatively in: sulated terminals, a plurality of relatively insulatedconductors carried by said cable, each oppositely disposed pair ofrelatively insulated terminals being connected by one of saidconductors, whereby relative move ment of said members is compensatedfor by said cable and said'members and strains upon said terminals andconductors are avoided.

In an electrical connector, a flexible insulating medium, a plurality ofrelatively ".insulated conductors carried by said medium, membersrigidly affixed to opposite ends of said medium, each member having aplurality of relatively insulated terminals, a head substantiallyannular formed by'one of. said members and bearing therein therelatively insulated conductors of progressively increased length.

l, In an electrical connector, a flexible insulating medium, a series ofrelatively insulated conductors carried within said medium, means forconnecting said. conductors to electrical receiving and distributingelemmsts including an inflexible head rigidly secured to said insulatingmedium said relatively insulated conductors extending into minalscarried by said member, means for rigidly securing said member to eachgroup, each of said conductors making a relatively insulated electricalconnection between pairs of terminals.

7. In an electrical connector, a. flexible insulating medium, aplurality ofconductors separately embedded in said medium and carriedthereby, rigid members inflexibly affixed to opposite ends of saidmedium and having a. plurality of relatively insulated terminals, one ofsaid members comprising a block of insulating material, rigid relativelyinsulated terminals secured thereto and extending therefrom, and meansfor connecting said conductors to said terminals,

8. A group of relatively immovable and relatively insulated terminalsadapted to be severally attached to the binding'posts of a multiplespar]; coil, a cable comprising mutually insulated and protected strandsequal in number to said'terminals,a rigidly connected but mutuallyinsulated group of terg minals conuectedto the opposite end of saidcable and adapted to fit-and be fastened upon the binding posts of acommutator.

9. An electrical connector for ignition systems of internal combustionengines, including a flexible medium, a series of relativelyinsulated.conductors carried by said medium, a timer casing rigidlysecured to said medium and forming therewith a subby a substantiallycontinuous structure is formed, 'a series of relatively insulatedterminals in said casing,said conductors extending from said flexiblemedium into said insulating casing and electrically connected each .toone of said terminals.

11. in anignition device for internal combustion engines, a rigidmembercomprising w eaa a series of relatively insulated terminals insaid casing, said conductors extending adapted each to be attached to aspark coil into said chamber and each having a rela 10 unit, a timerincluding a casing therefor, a tively insulated terminal adapted to makeflexible insulating medium rigidly secured to connection with a timerroller contact. said member and to said timer casing, a In testimonywhereof, I have signed my series of conduct-01's carried by saidflexible name to this specification medium and relatively insulatedtherein, an

annular insulating and distributing chamber WlLlQIAlil H. ADAMS.

